Christmas and the world

First let me say that I hope everyone who reads this and those who don't all have had a wonderful Christmas. I know for some of you in the retail world it has meant that your Christmas preparations began around the close of business on October 31. I know for those of you who are in the musical regions of our society it likely begun even earlier like near the end of July or August. I know that I for one have missed Thanksgiving in the stores. So why I did I title this blog Christmas and the world? That is a good question I am trying to answer in my head. Oh, I know why now. I miss the simple Christmas of long ago. Let me explain by asking you to go to your Wal-Mart and walk through the grocery section and while there do not forget to rummage through the aisle reserved for Valentines. That's right the Christmas holidays are over and we must now all begin planning on ensuring that we purchase something magnificent and sweet to show that special someone we love them. (Sounds like a commercial—well kinda like a commercial). It is sad that we are driven from one major shopping event to another in our debt laden society that could never show love prior to the creation of Wal-Mart and credit cards. I mean what where those Pilgrim's and Indians so thankful for anyway none of them took a massive haul of gifts. Why where those angels rejoicing (let us pretend that this was the time of Christ's birth)? How could Mary and Joseph be happy? Did he stop off and get her a tempurpedic foam cover for the dirt and straw floor she gave birth on? No, all these were happy to be alive and to see others alive and well. The pilgrim's had survived and learned how to survive thanks to their friend's the Indians, the angels were elated to announce to shepherds the birth of their God and our Saving God, and Mary and Joseph were happy she made it to a place she could be protected while giving birth to the greatest gift man has ever received. Notice there was no decorations to be overdone, no performances to stress over, no debt to be accumulated in order to show love, there were only people. I miss simple Christmas and I have for some time. To long I have been a grump over this perversion we call Christmas but no more will I let the world dictate my Christmas season. I am going to return to my childhood each year and live a truth I believed was a lie for many years.

I remember before my parents divorced how wonderful Christmas was and what it should be like. Perhaps I was too young and naïve to know better but that is where I want to return each year. We took the time to set out the goofy little paper turkey I made at school and all the other fall styled items in celebration of Thanksgiving. The dinner was simple and my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandmother came each year, we ate turkey, listened to stories of our parent's misadventures, and no one spoke of the lack of money, stress of work, or anything other than family memories (sometimes they would lead to an argument) and who would win the games. Then the next day Christmas began. It was a simple tree and would be completed by the time dad got home from work. Then on Christmas Eve, the family would come together again and celebrate. Everyone would open their two or three gifts and enjoy each other. I always looked forward to this time because it meant a new pair of jeans (that I most likely needed due to growth or abusive wear) and new boots from my grandparents in California, and one really something special from mom and dad. I remember how pleased mom and dad acted over the simplest trinkets that we kids could afford from washing cars or mowing lawns (once we got old enough to buy gifts). Those were the best not because we got really cool or expensive gifts it was great because for a couple of days a year we were just happy to be a family together.

This year maybe you did not get what you really wanted or you felt ripped off by someone. Stop and remember how excited you were as a kid not because of gifts but because someone was coming over that you loved and wanted to see. Stop and remember Christmas is not about gifts it is about the greatest love man has ever known—the sacrifice of Christ. He came to teach us, guide us, and to save us for the Father's glory. True love is to love as He loved, giving all of yourself to someone else. We love because He first loved us and gave Himself for us.

Let me close by saying to all those who read this blog and to all those who do not. I pray that you experience God in a new and refreshing way this coming year and that it is one filled with joy.

A Statement of Faith

Time and again the Bible says, "the just shall live by faith." So I awoke early Sunday morning to fill the buses for my church. I forgot that the buses would not run on Thanksgiving weekend but it is ok. The time was not wasted. The Lord spoke to me as I served Him. God impressed upon my mind this question: "Is your statement of faith more of an intellectual document or a play by play of your life?" So I ask you have you documented in writing just what you believe? If you have formed such a document, how well are you living by that document? Let me see if I can focus in a little more.

I believe that God is all-powerful. Therefore, I should be able to live in such a way that, by all evidence, I display confidence in God to provide for my daily life. I think this is why the Bible says be anxious for nothing. Do not worry is not a suggestion but a display of faith. Do I really believe God is all powerful when I feel the need to worry over so many things? I mean if He is the sovereign king of the universe then why do I worry about tomorrow or the actions of men who are in His hands. The apostles did not fear men because they truly believed God is all-powerful. I read Acts 4-8 last night and I could not get over how much resistance they faced and still kept declaring that bad men must come to term with a good God by repenting of their atrocities towards God and His holy Son, Jesus Christ. How could they do this knowing that they might be stoned for these declarations? Easy, they believed that God is all-powerful and could receive glory through their lives as he ordained them to take place.

I believe that God is all-knowing and then go around defeated or sinning as if God does not see what is taking place. When I act defeated and beat down then I am saying by my actions that I cannot hold my head up because there is no one to turn to in my time of need. But wait; is not God all-knowing? Does God not already know that I have faced adversity and is it not the Almighty who knows how best to use His power to receive glory through the adversity He has allowed to enter my life? How about this one, I try and hide my sins, even the ones in my head. Hello all-knowing God, maybe I should do as He says and confess those sins so I can be cleansed.

I believe God is present everywhere at all times. Does anyone even want me to expand on this one? I am afraid that if most of us got a grip on this fact it would not give us comfort but scare us because when it comes down to it are we holy people? It should give us comfort knowing that no matter what God is always there and able to give us instant wisdom to avoid sin and bring Him glory.

I believe that the Bible is inspired by God is profitable for all areas of life and then I line item veto the parts I do not like. Now do not act shocked by that statement. Chances are that if we were all honest we could discover the same in our lives. I mean how often do we cast every care and burden on the Lord? How about the one where we take of the down trodden of life because we might be entertaining angels unaware? I mean here is the all-powerful, all-knowing God giving me the ability to buy a gift card to McDonald's and then allowing a person to stand on a street corner at a red-light that I must stop at for awhile. I mean if I do what is right and meet the physical need of the person then can I trust that God will use that gift for His glory? I can if I believe the Bible and I am willing to do this to the least of these.

You see these are only a few of the things I say I believe and then find hard to live. I will know the power of God manifested through me when I stop living by humanistic mental assent and begin to live by holy faith. So I know where I need to grow in faith. I pray that very soon my life will be my statement of faith and anyone will be able to see it without reading the written document. How is your statement of faith?

To covenant or not to covenant, that is the question?

Recently Pastor Sean sent an email basically asking everyone to think on this question. As a member of the pastoral team I have had a little heads up in being able to think about this subject. I came to Berean almost six years ago and in the last few months I have learned that Berean has a covenant already in place. I knew it was there, I have read the constitution, but I did not really think about it as something that needed to be enforced. I find this strange since I have seen so much emphasis be placed upon the constitution. Here is a section of the constitution that is largely ignored. I mostly ignored it because I already practice it in my personal life; this is probably true of most of us. Therefore, when Pastor approached the subject of enforcing it I thought "no problem." I even went as far in my thoughts to say awesome this should put more of us on the same page and accomplish unity on a whole new level. However, this has not been the case, much to the sadness of Christ who prayed that we would be one.

So here are my thoughts on the covenant of Berean Baptist Church and covenants I have lived by in my life.

I have no problem making a pledge to live my life by a standard described in a document. As a member of the US Army I did this everyday for many years. I obeyed Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush as my commander-in-chiefs. I obeyed the officers appointed over me. I gave up some of my personal constitutional rights to defend others ability to live their life in full freedom of those same rights I gave up. I did this because I loved my country, I denied the GI Bill. I do not understand the big deal then about saying to my fellow Berean's I am with you all the way. I will do my best in Christ's power to live my life beside you in a way that is helpful to you and honors God. I am even willing to sacrifice some of my personal preferences in order to show you I love you.

I believe that a covenant is great. I have entered into a verbal covenant with Angela. That verbal covenant is our wedding vows. Whether I perform a wedding or attend a wedding I am reminded of my vows to Angela. If we are attending a wedding we hold hands and as the bride and groom exchange vows we touch each other's rings as a reminder of our covenant. Thus our rings are a reminder that we live in a covenant relationship with God and each other. So what is wrong with pulling out a document and reminding each other this is what we have promised to do unto one another?

Should a covenant be flexible? Sure. Think about the wedding vows again. I promised to love Angela till death do us part but those vows did not define the method of conveying that love. Sometimes I wash the dishes to convey that love. Sometimes I do the laundry to convey that love. Sometimes I take her on a date to convey my love. Sometimes I buy her flowers to convey that love. Sometimes I skip watching the hockey game on TV to show her that love. So what is wrong with saying we will leave some decisions of life up to God and our fellow Berean?

Should a covenant possess hard stances? Sure. Think about the wedding vow to keep myself to Angela and only her till death do we part. This means mentally, emotionally, and physically as I am made in the image of God. This means all of my being is reserved for her alone. No other woman is to have my mind, my heart, my attention, my anything as long as Angela lives. So what is wrong with saying to my fellow Berean's I promise you I will not or I will... whatever?

Pastor Sean is right we need to revive the idea of living by what we promise in our lives and in our church. If our current covenant is too rigid then let wise men and women rise up and declare the wisdom of God that they possess and give input into a covenant that honors God by allowing the body here to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. If it is what it should be, then let us begin to live and be accountable to it. If we believe that we can live without making those promises to one another then so be it. I do however, doubt that the last course of action would benefit or honor God's work here in this church. I mean without my marriage vows being what they are I could easily twist the lives of men like David in the Bible to justify having more than one wife and who could hold me accountable otherwise? The current state of Christianity is adrift and we need to declare what we will live by, document that, and be accountable to it.

To all my fellow Berean's and pastors, I am with you and I pledge to contribute to forming a covenant that we can live with and by, and then allowing you to hold me accountable to that promise for as long as I am a member of Berean.